Robert semple

Hi all, Again its been a few weeks since I have posted but my forum is never far from my mind. Here 's a little insight into my life. I have four beautiful kids under the age of nine. the youngest is my son aged nine months now and the others are three beautiful daughters. I work a long day as a workshop supervisor in the motor trade training , hopefully to one day being manager. I rise at seven am to organise the kids with my partner for a nine am start at work. I then work until six and then come home to start another shift in my mind to being a dad whilst my partner then goes to work until 11pm. This is the reason I fail too update as much as I would like too, this life style is maybe also the reason why I have took longer to heal. Talking lately on here has given me the tools and a coping mechanism to get by which is what I believe I needed. lately I have struggled putting some sentences together, thoughts seem to be very unhinged at times ..by that I mean the thoughts and planning seem to be very unsure, so I need to stop and think more which unsettles me and gets me agitated.. This may sound negative but the reason I point them out is purely because I want to point out that this talking and you guys have given me that coping mechanism I referred too before. I may not know you all but I thankyou for your input and appreciate the help and advice along the way. Not long until I meet with headway now?

Hi Clare , My appointment is the 26th of January I am sure. Just waiting on the appointment letter coming through the post. I am hearing Headway is really good so I am looking forward to the visit. My partner's mum has a friend in his 40s who had a similar injury to myself. He has given my family info on how to deal with some difficulties that might arise from in the past but I did not know this until recently. When I mentioned I was going to headway, the family opened up slightly and told me that's where this guy goes a lot. I will defo keep you updated. Thank you x Robert x

Hi all, Been a couple of weeks since I wrote.I have been busy with work being back to normal and the joyful labours of being a parent. Had a lovely Christmas and New Year back at home where I belong. I tried my best at taking rest but soon fell into old habits with being very anxious and my OCD went into overdrive again which in turn makes me angry. i started to notice it but I could not control it. However, the fact I have now learned a little i eventually done some self analysis and realised I should get how I was feeling off my chest and shared it with partner and admitted she started to see it creep in but wanted to see how or if I could deal with it. Once we spoke it was like I had lifted a heavy rock off my shoulders. i just need to realise when it creeps back and deal with it properly. I am managing to help a friend who has similar issues at the moment which feels really good and I know another friend of a friend will be doing a charity fundraiser soon for Brain injuries to raise awareness.i am hoping to become involved in that. I hope every one is well?

Hi Win, Everyone's input is great. I am sure this site has helped many people the way it has me. Colleen said a couple of posts ago that she still struggles with fatigue five years on. I am the very same so it's up to me to take that break when required and believe me over the last few days I have, lol. It's been great. I have come home tonight after my shift with a totally different attitude as well.(yes I'm back home ??) I never came in with that feeling of impending doom and stuck to the attitude I have had over the last few days. Quick shower and now relaxing waiting on a takeaway. Cutting out takeaway will be the next step, know any good sites for advice ?lol Here is a question. Do the people on this site ever meet up? Does this site get promoted through the likes of Headway ? I know I will be sure to mention it at my first meeting in January. I intend to keep writing, hopefully people keep reading. Thanks Win

Hi Colleen, Thanks for the reply. It would seem you and myself have suffered very similar setbacks then. The docs did put me on medication, it did help first time round as it slowed me down. When I felt better I decided to come off them as I felt I could - a few months/maybe a year anxiety returned so bad that my whole body ached. I got put on the medication again but this time round I absolutely did not like the effects I was having with it. I just feel that sitting on a couch not having the heart to do anything is the answer. This is the effect I would get. You mentioned coffee and today I have barred myself from it. My fatigue comes bad at night and you're totally correct as I have noticed this. The coffee just does not help as I come down with a crash and it's that point I need to care for the kids as mum works nights. Simple changes in attitude/lifestyles/awareness/understanding should see some real changes in myself I hope. Kind regards Robert

Hi, Finally setting down to begin the book, keep you all posted. Robert

Hi all, Well it's been a busy couple of days with plenty of smiles which has been great Ii have spent time with my family and adapted to just taking things easy. At times I felt like an outsider just looking in but I feel better within myself. That's what opening up and adapting to relaxing has done. I think looking back now I lacked self control with a lot of things that possibly was just about to give me a nervous breakdown. Someone quoted on my forum that has stuck with me. I was probably trying to hard to be the old me but instead it would seem I need to adapt to the new me. The new me seems to be a very confident at talking now. I think this talking will open up barriers that I put there myself. I am feeling good, this site and everyone who has commented has really helped me. I actually found myself getting frustrated as I was struggling to post on it for some reason. I think it was a glitch. Subs helped me with it lol. Thanks Subs A happy Robert ?

Hi Michelle, I am finding this site like a Facebook but I don't and wouldn't talk as frank on fb as I would here. I'm also finding it my most visited place. absolutely at home here. Im finding myself talking more and more as well now about my struggles. I'll keep in touch. Wherever you are and whatever you get up too I hope you enjoy the festivities. xx Robert

Hi, Is it common after these type of injuries to have a numb/strange sensation on the forehead..this is one of the major factors of my personality change that I can not get rid of. The only thing that soothes this is by wearing a head band that creates pressure around my head but helps relief this. Thanks

Hi Skippy, Thank you for reading with interest. It's clear that myself and you maybe suffered similar setbacks now. The more I look into this I am learning that even now after all that's happened in the last few days I still really really struggle with the severity of what happened to me. I still treat it as though it was a sore head. The fact a doctor told me I was not going home after the first day in hospital as he did not understand why I was not dead and if I didn't treat the recovery properly then I still could be. That should maybe have been my realisation of the severity. I would need to look out all my medical files on this as I even chose not to read mine. I know mine was frontal lobe haemorrhage along with one to the rear. My brain also moved when my skull cracked causing bleeding. I intend to take my files to Headway so as they can educate me more and maybe help me open up even more and understand. I am sure the harsh way the doctor told me was not harsh at all, it was just what I call my chimp (from the chimp paradox) interpreting his words the wrong way. I think he had to be direct with me as I was having none of his instructions. I believed I knew better. From the video I watched, regarding James Cracknell there is a quote that resounded with me. Before the accident, I, like others, had bad traits along with good ones. After the accident I was left with only the bad but multiplied by ten. In the three years since I refused to see this until now. If I was more educated and recorded this more I could write a book on this. Never say never though. I am clearly passionate about this. Thank you once again and I sincerely hope you enjoy the festivities Kind regards Robert

Hi Win, Thank you very much. Something had to change, as I said in previous posts I am now living with parents purely because it became too much for my partner to live with me unrelaxed. I still look after my kids at our family home at night and have become used to the small changes my partner has made around the house to make the home a more relaxed environment for all parties. I even managed a nap with my son earlier and we both woke up smiling. I am learning that rest is key, my partner encourages this. I fully intend to keep in touch with this site, as this site amongst other positive changes, is what has given me the realisation that I must adapt to the new me. My plan Is to talk more positively about my accident. There have been highs and a lot of lows. I know I can help other people and I salute every person who has helped along my journey. Looking forward to my first meeting at Headway. Enjoy the festivities whatever you get up to Win. Kind regards Robert

I agree Chris. lots of great advice from people and carers which is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your prayers and wishes. I hope wherever you are you and your family enjoy the festivities. Kind regards. Robert.

Hi Clare, In the past few days I have seen a real difference in myself,three years of keeping it all in has drained me and my family. Now that I have opened up I have no intentions of stopping. My family have been such a help and in the last few days so has this site. I had a lovely chat with a girl from headway today and even opened up to a colleague in work about some of my plans. Sarahs father in law has recently suffered an aneurysm. I knew I could offer advice and prepare her for some of the obstacles her father in law will have along with her family. I mentioned this site so hopefully this site, its members, Headway and myself could maybe help another person. I will start the book over the festive period and I will let you know how it is. Kind regards Robert

Hi, My book has arrived and I'm also booked into a consultation with headway Glasgow on the 26th of January....feeling very liberated....hopefully I can help there and maybe share my experiences. I will keep in touch. Enjoy Christmas everyone.

Hi Daffodil, I am totally excited by this. talking today has already helped me leaps and bounds just by sharing my issues and having people's input has helped to lift the pressure. Carers will know some of the issues I am likely to have put my family through. I have just spoken with my partner about this forum and got excited that maybe I can help someone. She like you had told me just to slow down and take the help before offering it, this is the driven side of me that I must work on to slow down. I will take your advice and take baby steps. The book will arrive tomorrow. I will let you know when I start to read it and give my views on it. Kind regards Robert